Workshare - an Alternative to Layoffs

Employers
may be able to avoid layoffs by choosing the WorkShare alternative.
Previously, in a temporary layoff situation, employers who hoped to reemploy
their workers ran the risk of losing those skilled workers to other business
opportunities. The WorkShare program, however, allows employers to retain
their skilled workers during times of slowdown by simply reducing the
work hours of a larger group of employees. Employees whose hours and wages
are reduced would be eligible to receive a portion of their regular unemployment
insurance benefits to compensate for the lost wages.

In addition to sparing employers the potential lost of its existing workforce,
WorkShare also spares a company's employees the financial and emotional
hardship associated with a layoff situation.

WorkShare
is available to any employer with two or more employees. Interested employersmay apply for Workshare by calling our Employer phone line at (401) 462-8418. Employees
who normally work for the employer submitting a WorksShare plan and who would normally be
eligible to receive regular unemployment insurance benefits in Rhode Island
are eligible to participate in WorkShare. The following also apply:

> The employee must serve a waiting period
before receiving Workshare benefits, unless a waiting
period has already
been served on an existing claim.

> During the week, the individual is employed
as a member of an affected unit under a Workshare
plan which was approved
prior to that week, and the plan is in effect the week for which
Workshare
benefits are claimed.

> The individual is able to work and is
available for the normal work week with the Workshare
employer.

> The employee must work all the hours
offered by the Workshare employer in any given week up
to the employee's
usual weekly hours.

> If an individual has earnings in the
same week with another employer, those earnings will not
affect the
individual's Workshare benefits.

> The employee can receive a maximum of
52 weeks of WorkShare benefits during a single benefit
year.